>> water main mess. downtown flooded. streets buckled. >> you never know when the line is going to explode. >> and repair crews have a long way to go. the headache that could be felt for weeks to come. >> hello, everyone. >> i'm dick carter. >> and i'm dennis. >> a water main burst right under the busiest part of dew point. crews are working to get the pipe fixed and the road back up. megan tells us how long it can take. >> reporter: a light street is still shut down here between baltimore and lombard. city officials say it will stay that way at least three weeks.

this home video shows the water gushing down light street. left behind, a giant crater and mangled mess. >> it's going to be crazy until they can do something about this. light street is tore up. >> reporter: the city will tear up two blocks of light street to replace the broken main which dates back to 1889. they'll also replace another older pipe which has been there since 1914. >> we're going to remove those lines and replace them with new lines so that once we go in, we can close this road and not have to come back again. >> reporter: the bulk of the repair work will happen between redwood and lumbar on light. the road will completely shut down creating headaches for those who live and work downtown. >> it's terrible, because we can't get nowhere. you've got to go all the way around. >> you've got art escape this weekend. then you've got others coming up. it's going to be ugly. >> reporter: some of the businesses here on light street shut down for the day with no

water. the city is working to provide temporary service, but that won't be up and running until thursday. >> it does impact their business. i think they can handle one or two days of disruption. if it goes beyond that, it can be very frustrating. >> reporter: with the extent of repairs on tap, it will be weeks before downtown is back to normal. and most of the repair work will be done during the day. city officials say they are shutting down this entire street to try and get that work done more quickly. live downtown, i'm megan. >> three years ago a city assessment found the water main on light street was at high risk for breaking. it was put on a priority list but hasn't yet been replaced. returns to maryland and sends a firefighter to the hospital. he's battling a transformer fire and was overwhelmed by heat exhaustion. the combination of the heat from the fire and the high

temperatures are especially dangerous. fells point was crowded today with those trying to escape the heat. bob is tracking the heat from the weather center. >> today, the fifth day of the summer of 100 degree heat. it got up to 100 briefly this afternoon. now, tomorrow, almost as hot as today. we got up to 100. not quite as hot of temperature, but it will be more humid. that why we have an advisory that will go into effect tomorrow morning around 11:00 until 9:00 tomorrow night, a heat advisory for the entire region, east of washington county. as far as temperatures, this late at night, it's still 87 degrees. the coolest spot oakland at 72. 83 in ocean city. d.c. still at 88 degrees. so when will we see relief from the heat? i'll have more temperatures ahead in the full forecast. >> bob, thank you. tonight, police are trying to find out why a maryland man shot his mother, stepfather and then turned the gun on himself.

it started with an argument at the family's home in waldorf, charles county. the two victims were shot in the house before collapsing in the street. the suspect's body was found later. both victims are in critical condition. powerful testimony from jada pinkett smith. she's talking to capitol hill to fight human trafficking. she's hoping to help thousands of vulnerable women and children. >> from the big screen to capitol hill, baltimore school for the arts grad spoke in front of several members of congress, including maryland senator, been carden, raising awareness about human trafficking and proposition 35, a law that will protect sexual exploitation of victims in california. >> this is something actually occurring in our own country, and being that california, we have three of the major hot spots in regards to trafficking. >> reporter: a wjz investigation found there are

at least 20,000 human trafficking cases a year in the u.s. human trafficking is illegal in maryland, but prosecutors say loopholes can sometimes make it hard to prosecute. lydia and her children were brought to maryland from asia as household slaves. >> i was coming home each day with feelings that i might not see my kids. >> reporter: she says she hopes congress will delegate more money to programs that prevent trafficking and help the victims like her once they're find. >> fighting slavery doesn't cost a lot of money. the cost of allowing it to exist in our nation and abroad are much higher. >> reporter: the national human trafficking resource center reports that from january through march of this year, there were 22 reports of human trafficking in baltimore alone. wjz, eyewitness news. >> jada's husband and daughter,

will low, joined her today on capitol hill. for the first time in two decades, johns hopkins is no longer ranked the top hospital in the nation. the "u.s. news and world report" demoted them to the number two spot, even though it just opened a state-of-the-art facility. massachusetts general claimed the top spot this year. hopkins is still ranked number one in five specialties. challenging the u.s. census after a government report shows baltimore's population shrinking. the mayor calls the numbers into question. the city claims tens of thousands of people weren't counted. wjz is live and kyle jackson explains why growth is so important. >> reporter: as debate rages on about baltimore's population, one group is clearly focused on baltimore growing. baltimore is in a battle over numbers. a high stakes debate about the city's population. numbers show it has decreased, that's clear. the debate or big question is by how much. the 2010 census says baltimore

has just over 620,000 residents. >> it's the initial numbers that there has been a loss in the past year, but that it is stabilizing close to a net zero loss. >> reporter: that's not enough for city leaders who were challenging the 2010 census data. >> we found 15,635 housing units that we believe the census bureau missed in its count. >> reporter: city planners calculated an average of two people living in these 15,000 moments, and it adds up to more than 30,000 missed. some say that shows the population has at least stabilized if not grown. baltimore was one of the biggest cities in america after world war ii, but its population has steadily gotten smaller. >> i love being downtown. it's so convenient. >> the more government cuts things, the more people tend to leave. >> reporter: valuable federal dollars are tied directly to the population for cities nationwide. >> pure and simple, the more population you have, the more dollars you would get for

housing or health programs and a host of other things that are funded at the federal and state levels. >> reporter: city planners say it could take three to six months for the census bureau to determine whether it will reassess baltimore's population. back to you. >> thank you. city planners estimate baltimore could gain or lose $90 million over ten years depending on how the census department responds. the red cross is in need of volunteers tonight as the region suffers the wrath of mother nature. many people are lacking food, shelter and clothing right now. last month's devastating storm and the hot temperatures have stretched the red cross to the breaking point. to volunteer or donate, log on to wjz.com and look for the story in the local news section. a young girl plunges out of a third story window and a good samaritan comes to her rescue right before she hits the ground. here's the amazing video of that last-second save. >> reporter: chilling video shows a 7-year-old girl either fall or jump from a third floor

window at a brooklyn apartment building. caught by a good samaritan who didn't know the child or her mother. >> i heard somebody banging at the door, stating that my daughter was outside on the air conditioner. but i had no idea what was going on, because i had my son. >> reporter: she says her auto advertise stick daughter was -- autistic daughter was supposed to be sleeping with a window air conditioner unit installed just the day before. but the unit wasn't secure allowing her to squeeze through and get out. stephen bernard was at the right place at the right time. >> i was just praying i would get there and if she fall i would catch her. >> reporter: he tore a tendon in his arm making the catch. he is a new york city bus driver and was just getting home from work when he saw her teetering three stories up and saved her. >> nothing's wrong with her. >> nothing? >> not a thing. not a scratch. >> reporter: he is now being hailed a hero. the child's mother blames the

accident on the faulty a.c. unit saying she did not neglect her child. wjz eyewitness news. >> no charges will be filed against the mother or father of that little girl. coming up, look out below. a new york parking attendant gets a big surprise after driving on to a vehicle elevator. a handful of needles found inside sandwiches served to airline passengers. the investigation into it. too little rain and too much heat are taking a toll on maryland crops. that story as eyewitness news continues. is there any heat relief on the way? i'm bob, a complete forecast coming up next. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

>> it is clear and 87 degrees in central maryland right now. the complete forecast is coming up. firefighters in new york city are faced with a major operation after a car plunges down an elevator shaft at a parking garage. police say the parking attendant didn't realize the elevator's car wasn't there when the doors opened. he was rescued from the wreckage along with another attendant who was on the ground floor at the time. their injuries are not life- threatening. an ominous banner is flown over the penn state campus regarding the statue of the late football coach, joe paterno.

the sign reads take the statue down or we will. the statue became a focal point after an independent investigation concluded paterno helped cover up sex abus allegations against jerry sandusky. the university president says no decision concerning paterno's statue have been made. an international investigation is underway after a food scare on four delta airline flights. one inch sewing needles were found in six turkey sandwiches flying from amsterdam to the united states. one passenger from minnesota needed emergency treatment after puncturing the roof of his mouth. he says the incident will have a long-lasting effect on him. >> i'll think twice about the food i eat next time, unless something significantly changes that instills confidence that i know the food supply is going to be safe on to an airplane. >> the tsa says it does not consider the incident a threat to national security. the sandwiches were made by gate gourmet, a worldwide

airline caterer. ten hours after a bar shooting spree near the university of alabama, a man turns himself in to police. you can see the shooter in this surveillance video carrying a military-style assault weapon. police say nathan van wilkins sent patrons running for coverage as he fired into the crowd in the bar. 17 people were hurt, one in critical condition now. van wilkins is also charged in another shooting on that same night. police say the 44-year-old wounded a man when he answered his front door. van wilkins is also suspected of setting fire to property owned by his former employer. police are not sure of a motive. a serious drought is causing problems nationwide and it's painfully obvious on the mississippi river. this video from last summer shows the statue of lewis and clark practically underwater. this year it's a much different story with the river level down 12 feet from where it should be. our hot weather and lack ever rain are causing crops to

suffer across the state. alex demetric talks to growers who are facing serious problems. >> reporter: lower than normal rainfall hurts, but heat is killing crops like corn. >> i've never seen corn go downhill so fast in all my life. >> reporter: he says he'll bring in only a third of the corn crop he hoped for because of heat waves. >> even as late as june 25th, we probably had as much potential as we've ever had for a big crop. and just in the last three weeks, we've really took a turn for the worst. >> heat and lack of rain are not a good combination for agriculture. >> reporter: that means to keep quality produce like this on the shelf, farmers must spend money to water crops. irrigating hurts the bottom line but without it. >> we've had nothing. in this area, we've literally would have no crop at all. >> reporter: so watering keeps the sweet corn coming but vast amounts of commodity crops like feed corn are bake in the sun.

>> when it's as hot as it's been, then you start affecting pollination and quality. >> reporter: and that's what's stunting corn on the shore. >> this is probably going to be the best ear in the field. and it doesn't look too bad but that's probably what we're hoping for, even a little better. but that's what we're hoping for and looks like that's what we're going to end up with. the corn crop's pretty much done. it is what it is and we got what we got. >> reporter: certainly not what was hoped for. wjz, eyewitness news. maryland's department of agriculture says consumers won't see a decline in the quality of produce although quantity could be imimpacted. >> let's hope we get rain soon. >> it will be where somebody gets an inch or two of rain and two miles down the road maybe not a drop. there can be severe thunderstorms later tomorrow and probably even here on thursday. i'll show you why in a minute. all this heat around here is bound to get something. 87 still. this time of the night, the dew point's back up as it normal is at night to 66 now.

humidity is pretty much doubled since earlier this afternoon. 49%. now, light southwest wind, the prompter actually -- barometer actually rising. 73 in oakland. ocean city and he's stonn 88 -- eston and 88 in washington. around the local area, low to mid-80s. a very warm night. a few spots reporting upper 70s north of town in a few areas between the major cities. so it's going to be warm and muggy night. 100 degrees today. the fifth time this year we've had 100 or better. the high so far, july 7, 104 by the way. 101 is the record. we came close to that. the average now 88 and 67. the record low 58 back in 1987. a southwest wind and that southwest wind will bring in additional moisture, more humid than today. maybe not as hot temperaturewise but it will

feel several degrees warmer than today because the humidity will make you feel more uncomfortable. now, to know if there's relief, a cold front, showers and storms from the dakotas all the way through new england, some of them have been pretty gusty and pretty wet thunderstorms. scattered stuff to the west of us. this front will be pressing southward. by the afternoon it will be somewhere in pennsylvania. eventually we'll see scattered thunderstorms breaking out and the risk for the thunderstorms will continue on thursday as well. the front's going to slow down, so it will be hot and humid on thursday. not as hot as wednesday. but an increased chance again of more showers and storms. could even be with us on friday. there's some good news. it will be cooling down and there is a risk of some thunderstorm activity. some of them tomorrow night into thursday could be locally severe. heavy downpours and dangerous wind and lightning as well. southwest wind tomorrow 5 to 10 knots on the bay.

a warm night. upper 70s to low 80s in the city. they were like low 80s this morning. tomorrow thunderstorms late in the afternoon. tomorrow night 98 but more humid. it will feel like 103, 104 in the afternoon. next five days, 93. scattered showers and storms on thursday. upper 70s to the mid-80s possible on friday with additional showers. drying out for the weekend. looks nice. 84 and 87. look at that, 62 friday night. coming up, the orioles try to bounce back from a bad game on the road. >> more up in sports. ,,,,,,,,,,

>> the bliss was brief. >> sports report. the games go nine innings. you have to play the whole game. the orioles certainly have been wilting in the heat of june and july and the heat has been on

the young pitchers who have been a big part of the struggle. chris till man had a rough game last night. the manager fighting the frustration. adam jones gets the lead when jones connects in the fifth inning. opposite field fly that soars into the seat. a three-run home run. 21 homers for jones. o's on top 4-1. here's that all- too familiar sight. showwalters strides to the mound to remove his young pitcher. he could not hold the lead after walking six batters, charged with four runs. now in the 7th inning the o's trail the twins 6-4. everybody's chasing the yankees who have the best record in the majors and now they get their best pitcher back. sabathia, six strikeouts. the yanks beat the j's 6-1. new york is 9 1/2 games ahead of the o's in the division race. in football more strong

comments from ed reed says he's sure the ravens expect him to show up for camp but adds they're not getting him for cheap. he says his issues aren't about money, saying people don't know what's going on behind closed doors, and those who doesn't know should not judge him. reed's under contract to be paid $7 million this season. ravens gather for training camp a week from tomorrow. the u.s. basketball team gets in a patriotic mood while in washington, d.c. baltimore native carmelo anthony and his teammates pose for a photo, a reminder they're playing for the red, white and blue. >> i reflect on what we're actually doing right now. to take that picture in front of that building with usa across our chests. you could look back 10, 20 years from now and still feel the goose bumps we had. >> and pumped up with pay try

advertise many, the -- patriotism, the team is head today london. the first game is a week from sunday. i think they'll win some games. >> i think they'll beaten gland for sure. still to come on eyewitness news, some of the elected officials enjoy a belly rub. >> one elected town is breaking the mold. we'll intr,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

we gotta sell the car. where would we even start? get the car. hi howard. get in. hi, good to see you. start with an actual written offer when selling your car, no strings attached. carmax. start here.

>> looking for the secret of staying in office may want to learn from stubs the cat. this feline candidate was elected mayor of a town in alaska. they don't care that he has naps and adds a little catnip to his water. he is still in office and still

their number one tourist attraction. visitors to the maryland zoo in baltimore should keep their eyes out for sparrow, the adorable gazelle calf born last month. zoo keepers say sparrow's birth is important because her species is nearly extinct. they're the tallest of the gazelles. when sparrow is grown up, she will be able to reach a running speed of 45 miles per hour. >> by then she'll be able to be in a space where she can do that. >> right. >> we'll be right back.,,,,,,

hi parents, big year for spelling. here's what the kids will n-e-e-d. ♪ pens and markers, paper wide ruled. ♪ ♪ hoodies, sneakers, tape, sticks of glue.♪ ♪ large boxes pencils, highlighters. ♪ ♪ sneakers and t-shirts. ♪ notebooks and jeans, ♪ notebooks and jeans, ♪ notebooks and jeeeeans, yeah! ♪ ♪ notebooks and jeans!

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